Little promotes Faafoi to shadow Labour Cabinet, Cosgrove keeps business role

Tuesday 19th April 2016

Labour Party leader Andrew Little has promoted Wellington MP and former broadcaster Kris Faafoi to the tourism portfolio to fill a gap left by departing MP Clayton Cosgrove, who nonetheless keeps the commerce portfolio and a new 'business outreach' role for as long as he remains in parliament.

The minor reshuffle also sees Cosgrove's consumer affairs portfolio allocated to former leader David Shearer.

Cosgrove announced his retirement from politics just over a week ago and will leave parliament before the 2017 election if his search for a new role in the private sector is successful.

As a strong advocate for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Cosgrove appears to have decided he was out of step with the party's policy direction, despite being assured there was a place for him in a Labour Cabinet.

However, Little said Cosgrove had "excellent links with business and will lead the push in working with industry," which suited him to a new business outreach role. He will also retain the commerce, veterans affairs and associate finance portfolios.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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